Chicago police are cautioning residents following a spate of violent robberies aimed at intoxicated individuals, mostly occurring in the city’s northern rivers area. The incidents reportedly spanned from June 16 to July 6, with groups of one to three African American males involved in these actions.
Law enforcement indicated that the attackers often engaged with their victims, who appeared to be inebriated, before robbing them. The robberies typically took place in the early hours when local bars and restaurants were closing.
One victim, Tori Rejuzema, recounted her experience, stating that four masked individuals tackled her to the ground while she was on her way to a Pilates class around 5:30 a.m. She described attempts to reach for her phone during the assault.
In another account, a man named Ledzema reported being threatened with a gun and injuring his neck during a robbery. He described the harrowing encounter, mentioning he was forced to the ground and held at gunpoint while they demanded access to his phone.
Police have tracked the vehicle used by the suspects and collected fingerprints, but as of now, no arrests have been made.
In an interview, former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam emphasized the underlying motive of these robberies—accessing the victims’ phones. He pointed out how common it is for people to conduct banking and financial transactions via their mobile devices.
He noted, “If they can threaten you until you provide a passcode, they’ll take the opportunity to transfer funds.” It’s unsettling to think that such blatant theft has become a path of least resistance for criminals targeting unsuspecting individuals.
